Well device



H. C. OTIS WELL DEVICE April 9, 1940.

Filed Sept. 27, 1937 gmc/who@ Herbert Ck.

Patented Apr. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES REISSUE@ SEP 22 19? PATENT AOFFICE- This invention relates to new and usefullmprovements in Well devices.

One object of the'invention is to provide an improved device arranged to be lowered into the well tubing and having means for automatically shutting off the flow through the tubing when the velocity of the flow exceeds a predetermined rate.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved device which may be positioned at any point within a well'tubing and having vmeans which may be automatic, for shutting the flow through said tubing; said means being exposed to the well fluid and being arranged to be actuated when the forces'created by the well fluid acting against said means are sufficiently unbalanced to cause movement thereof,

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the character described wherein the well fluid flows through a now passage provided in said device, with a movable valve for controlling the flow through said passage; said valve being so arranged that as long as the velocity of ow of the fluid through the passage is at a normal or predetermined rate the valve remains in an open or inactive position and is arranged to close when the velocity of ow is increased above such normal or predetermined rate.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved device having a movable valve element exposed to the well fluid, and means for restricting the flow of well fluid through the device so that a pressure differential is set up across the element; the element being so constructed that it is actuated by a predetermined pressure differential.

A further object of the invention ls to provide a well device of the character described including a valve so arranged that it may be moved from a closed position to resume' flowing, by equalizing the pressures across the valve or by overcoming the pressure acting upwardly to close the well tubing on a wire line or cable and which may be readily positioned at any point ,within the tubing or removed ytherefrom without removing the tubing. l

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with Figure 1 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of a well device, constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the valve which is located at the lower end of the device, showing the valve in its closed position,

Figure 3 is a view, similar to Figure 2, with the release means for equalizing the pressures across the valve engaging said valve,

Figure 4 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1,` and Figure 5 is a transverse, vertical sectional view of a modified form of valve cage.

In the drawing, the numeral I0 designates an elongate mandrel having an axial bore II extending therethrough. The upper portion of the outer surface of the mandrel is substantially cylindrical and a slip supporting sleeve I3 is slidable longitudinally on this portion. The sleeve is formed with an outwardly directed, annular flange I4 at its upper end and an external collar I 5 is preferably made integral with its lower end.

The collar has a plurality of radial slots I6` therein, which slots are spaced equidistant therearound and the upper ends of gripping elements I'I are inserted within the slots. ring I8 which surrounds the collar prevents out- Yward displacement of the elements from said slots. Manifestly, the gripping elements are suspended from the sleeve I3 and are movable with relation to the mandrel` For limiting the movement of the sleeve on the mandrel the latter is formed with an external flange I9, preferably integral therewith. As clearly shown in Figure 1, this flange is slotted to permit the gripping elements I1 to extend therethrough. A conning ring surrounds the flange and confines the elements Within the slots of said flange,

whereby the gripping elements are retained in close proximity to the outer surface of the mandrel.

A retainingA Immediately below the flange I9, the surface 5 Each grip-A ward radial movement thereof to the position shown in Figure 1, whereby said slips engage the tubing wall to hold the mandrel in positionp Below the slip-expanding or inclined surface 2| the mandrel is formed with a reduced shank 24, whereby an external annular shoulder is' provided. A plurality of elastic packing cups 23 surround the shank, being spaced from each other by` suitable spacing collars or rings 21. The uppermost cup abuts the shoulder 25 and the cups and spacers are retained on the shank by a tubular valve cage or housing 23 which is tl'rfaded onto the lower end of the shank. Normally, there is a clearance between the cups and wall of the tubing but when the device is set within said tubing, as will be explained, the well fluid pressure below the device acts upwardly against the packing cups to deform the same into sealing encage.

gagement with the wall of the well tubing, whereby the annular space between the well tubingl and the mandrel is sealed oil.

The bore 29 of the valve cage 23 is reduced at its lower portion as shown at 33, whereby an internal annular shoulder 3| is formed within the An inwardly directed ilange 32 is preferably made integral with the cage and is located at the extreme lower end of the same. Above the shoulder 3| a plurality of elongate vertical slots or openings 33 extend through'the wall of the cage and establish communication between the well ltubing A and thevbore of the valve cage. The slots'are preferably of a sufficient cross-sectional area to permit an unrestricted ilow through the mandrel; however, if desired, they may be reduced in area to 4restrict the flow to a predetermined rate. The size and shape of said slots is subject to variation.

A valve 34 is slidable within the bore oi' the cage and includes a valve head 35 which is movable within the upper portion 23 of the bore.

The head is substantially truste-conical and is adapted to engage an annular seat 33 which is formed at the lower end of the bore of the mandrel. A reduced shank `31 depends from the head, being preferably integral therewith, and said shank is'slidable in the reduced portion 30 ofthe bore of the valve cage. When the'vaive is in a lowered position (Figure l) the head 35 rests on the internal shoulder 3| within the valve cage and a iiow of well fluid from the tubing' A through the slots 33 and into the mandrel bore |I is permitted; however, when the valve moves to its upper position (Figure 2) the head 35 engages the seat 36 to shut ofi the flow from the tubing through the mandrel.

. The valve 34 is provided with an axial bore 33 which extends entirely through the shank 3ll and head 35 and the bore is reduced at its extereme upper end to form an internal annular shoulder or seat 39 within the head. Since the valve cage 28 has its bore open at its lower end, it will be obvious that the well fluid may flow upwardly through the valve cage and into the axial bore 33 of the valve.

aieasss For closing the bore of other valve 40 is arranged to engage the seat 39 within the valve head. The ball rests on a recessed disk 4| which is engaged by the upper end oi? a coiled spring 42 located within the bore 33 of the valve. The lower end of the spring rests upon an annular cap nut 43 which is threaded into the lower end of the bore 33 and, manifestly, with this arrangement, the spring exerts its pressure to hold the valve 4 0 seated, whereby the bore 33 of the valve is closed. It is noted that the nut the valve 34`a ball or 43 is annular so that the bore 33 is open to the well iiuid pressure within the tubing below the i device.

In loweringl the device into the well tubing, a suitable lowering device (not shown) is connected to the upper end of the mandrel l0 by means ofshear pins A(not shown), or other releasable means, which extend through openings 44 provided for this purpose. The device is thus suspended from the lowering device which is attached to a cable or wire line, and the lowering .is continued until the depth at which it is desired to set the device is reached. During the lower-` ing operation the 'slips 22v merely ride on the surface of the tubing wall but do not take hold asv the mandrel is constantly moving ahead of said slips. Before lowering the device, the well control devicesfnot shown) at the surface of the well tubing have been closed to shut of! any flow through the tubing and, therefore, the device moves downwardly through the iluid which might be standing in the well. The packing cups 23 are in a normal undistorted position whereby there is a clearance between said cups and tubing wall to permit by-passing of the well fluid within the tubing around the device as it is lowered therethrough.

u Inorder to set the device within the vtubing A, a sudden upward pull is exerted on the mandrel I3 by means of the lowering device (notshown) Such upward movement of the mandrel causes the free riding slips 22 to be moved outwardly by the inclined surface 2|, whereby said slip teeth engage the tubing wall. Repeated upward jarring tends to more firmly set the slips and such upward jarring also shears thepins (not shown) example, by connecting the lowering means to A the slip collar I3 and jarring downwardly.

After the slips 22 have been engaged with the tubing wall, the surface controls (not shown) are opened to permit the well iluid to flow upwardly through the tubing. As soon as this flow starts, the packing cups 23 are deformed by the well fluid pressure into sealing engagement with the well tubing. This fluid pressure may also act against the mandrel I3 to further tighten the gripping engagement of the slips 22 with the tubing A. Further, the well iiuid pressure may move the valve '34 to its raised or seated position, although in many instances, the valve may remain in a lowered or open position.

In the event that the valve 34 has been seated, then to unseat said valve to permit the flow of well fluid from the tubing A through the slots 33 in the valve cage 23 and upwardly through the mandrel andtubing thereabove, a tool having 'a rod or prong 45 is lowered through the tubing and bore of the mandrel (Figure 3). This rod has its lower end reduced at 43,l whereby an external shoulder 41 is formed on said rod. The diameter nol l arcane reduced portion 46 is of such size as to permit its entering the upper end of the bore 33 ofA the valve head to engage the ball 40.

When the device is set within the tubing and the valve 34 is closed, as has been explained, the Well fluid is trapped below.the same, whereby its pressure is exerted against the valve 34 to holdl moved downwardly by merely engaging said valvey with a rod or other device lowered from the surlexposed to the well fluid is much less than theA effective cross-sectional area of the valve 34, the

. ball may be more readily unseated by the jarring lec action of the prong. y

After the rod 45 is lowered through the mandrel so that its reduced end 4B engages the ball, repeated jarring or hammering is imparted to the ball through the rod, whereby said ball is momentarily unseated from the shoulder 39- upon each Jar. This unseating of the ball 40 -allows well fluid to escape upwardly through the bore of the mandrel and into the tubing thereabove. Therefore, a pressure will begin to build up above the valve 34 and this pressure willact against vthe pressure below the valve, whereby a condition soon occurs which permits the ball valve 40 to be held entirely open, permitting the rod 4l to be lowered so that its shoulder 41 engages the valve head 35 and moves the same downwardly. vIt is noted that other waysvof equalizingthe .pres sures across the valve 34, such as by-passing the well fluid from the tubing through the casing, may be employed, in which`case the ball 4ll may be eliminated. K v

As soon as'the valve 34 is movedto the position shown in Figure 1, the rod 45 isremovedrA The well controls at the surface are then .opened to permit a normal or predetermined flow oi well` fluid upwardly through the mandrel and tubing.

of the valve, is sufficient to balance the upward force created by the well fluid below the valve and therefore, as long as the flow is at a normalor predetermined rate, the valve remains open or unseated and does not in any way` interfere with the flow upwardly through the mandrel.r

It has been found that the well .control connections and devices at the surface of the well sometimes fail or are broken. .This often occurs where wells are drilled in bodiesl of water in which event the casing and tubing must extend upwardly throughthe water and above the surface thereof. The casing and tubing, in4 these instances, may be broken olf under water by passing ships, storms, driftwood, or from other causes and such breakage separates the well control connections at the surface from the tubing in the hole, whereby the flowing well is uncontrolled. Not only on underwater wells, but also on other wells, the surface control connections are subject to breakage or failures.

The valve 34 remains in an open or inactive position as long as the well iiows normally or at a predetermined yrate since the force exerted against the lower end of the valve 34-by the normally fiowingwell fluid is` insufficient to raise saidv valve. However, in the `event that the surface connections fail or are broken, then obviouslythe now through the tubing above the mandrel lll is increased, resulting in an increased iiow velocity through the tubing'a'nd mandrel. rihe 7 increased velocity immediately sets up or creates an increased force for. impact against the lower en d of the valve, which force or impact is caused by thersudden rush of fluid unwardly against the valve. vThis increased force or impact below the valve immediately raises said valve into engagement with the seat V36 at the lower end of the mandrel, whereby the flow, is cut off. Thus, it will be seen that, in the event the surface controls fail or arebroken, the valve immediately and automatically off' the iiowto bring the well under control. `y The surface controls may be repaired or replaced, after which the valve 34 is again lowered or opened bythe rod 45, or other.

The removal of the entire device may be accomplished at any time by merely lowering a removing device (not shown) and` engaging the same beneath the shoulder I4 on the slip-carrying sleeve I3. A downward jaris then imparted to the mandrel causing the mandrel to move downwardly withrelation to the slips 22 which permits theslips to move linwardly to a retracted position to disengage the same from the tubing. The slips engage beneath the flange I9 on the mandrel ,as thev sleeve is pulled upwardly from thewe11, -whereby 4said mandrel is carried upwardly therewith. The device may. be set at a different depth within thev tubing, or it may be entirely removed therefrom. The setting'and removal may be accomplished by means of a cable or wire line. It is pointed out that the action of the valve 34 is automatic in closing off the flow, being controlled by the change in well conditions which may be due to various causes.

, In Figure 5, a slightly modified form of the invention is shown wherein openings or slots 33' in the valve 'cage 28 are made of less area than the slots 33 shown in Figure 1. The combined area of theslots 33' is less than the cross-sectional area o f the bore of the mandrel, whereby said slots restrict the flow from. the tubing to the mandrel. The area of the slots 33 is suflicientto permit a predetermined, rate of ow therethroughand :as ylong as such now continues, the valve 34 remains in itsopen position. With the valve open l and the fluid flowing at such predetermined rate,

a pressure differential across the valve is set up,

but this differential is not sufiicient 4to close the valve,fthe weight of said valve holding the same in its open position. In the event that the velocity of the fluid flowing up the tubing above'the valve 34 is increased beyond apredetermined rate,l

due to the breakage of fittings or leaking or variation'in the composition of the flowing stream, or from any other cause, the restricted slots 33', will cause a pressure differential sufficient to elevate and close the valve 34 against its seat 3B.

What AIvclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

.1. A well flowing control device including, an elongate unitary support having a ow passage through which the natural well fluid is conducted and open while the well is producing under norinlet and passage under normal flowing conditions, said means having one side exposed tothe natural well fluid flowing into the inlet and its other side shut oil to such flow and exposed to the natural well fluids flowing from source,

whereby the said closure means is held open solely by such flowing pressures during normal flowing conditions and is moved to a closed position to shut off flow upward through the passage of the support when the velocity of flow of the well fluid is abnormally increased. ,l

2. A well flowing control device including, an elongate support having a flow passage therethrough for conducting the well fluids while the well is producing and open under normal flow ing conditions, said passage having an inlet for the well fluid, means for anchoring said support in a well casing, and closure means free to move ,and carried by the support and located so that the Vwelliiuid entering through the inlet flows over the upper side of said means and the well fluid from the well exerts its pressure against the underside of said means. said closure means re-- maining open under normal flowing conditions and free to` be closed by the well fluid upon abnormal increase in the velocity of the flowing well fluid.

3. A well flowing control device including, an elongate support having a flow passage therethrough and a valve seat in said passage, said support having an inlet for the fluid from the well to said passage below and adjacent said valve seat, and a valve carried by the support below the valve seat and free to move, said valve being normally open with its upper side exposed to the well fluid entering the inlet of the passage, the underside of the valve when open being shut off from the well fluid flowing through the inlet and into` the passage and exposed to well iluid flowing from source, said valve being free to be moved to close against the seat when the velocity of flow of the well fluid increases beyond a predetermined rate.

4. A well flowing controldevice removably mounted within a well tubing and including, a tubular support, means carried by the support for sealing off between said support and tubing, said support having an opening therein disposed below the sealing means whereby the ow of well fluid from. below said sealing means passes through said opening and upwardly through said support, a valve normally'open while the well is producing and carried by the support below said opening and having its lower end exposed to the well iluid flowing from source, its upper end being exposed to the natural well fluid flowing through the support, said valve being disposed and constructed to resist movement by a flowing natural well fluid under normalY flowing velocity, but to be moved upwardly and closed by a flow of natural well fluid of excessive velocity.

5. A well flowing control device removably `mounted within a well tubing including, a tubular support, means for sealing off between said support and tubing, and a valve normally open while the well is producing and carried by the support below the sealing means for controlling the flow of the natural well fluid through said said valve being constructed and arranged'to remain open under predetermined normal well flowing conditions and automatically closing when the velocity of said flow through the support exceeds a predetermined rate to change such flow conditions, and means for reopening said valve with the device mounted within the welltubing.

6. A well flowing control device removably mounted within a well tubing and including, a tubular mandrel, means carried by the mandrel for sealing on between said mandrel and tubing, said mandrel having an opening therein disposed below the sealing means whereby the ilow of well,

fluid from below the sealing means passes through said opening and upwardly through the mandrel, a valve seat within the mandrel above said opening, a valve vnormally open while the well is producing and within the mandrel adapted to engage said seat to cut off the ilow of the natural well fluid through the mandrel, said valve being located below the opening so that its upper side is exposed to the natural well fluid flowing through the mandrel, the lower siden of the valve being exposed to the well fluid below said valve, said valve being disposed and constructed to resist movement by a flowing natural well fluid under normal flowing velocity, but to be moved upwardly and closed by a flow of natural well fluid of excessive velocity.

7. A well flowing control device removably mounted within a well tubing and including, a tubular mandrel, means carried by the mandrel for sealing off between said mandrel and tubing, said mandrel having an opening therein disposed below the sealing means whereby the flow of well fluid from below said sealing means passes through said opening and upwardly through the mandrel, a valve seat within the mandrel above said opening, a valve normally open while the well is producing and within the mandrel adapted to engage said seat to cut off the flow of the natural well fluid through the mandrel, said valve being located below the opening so that its upe per side is exposed to the said fluid flowing through the mandrel, the lower side of the valve being exposed to the natural well fluid below said valve, said valve being constructed and arranged to remain open under predetermined natural well flowing conditions andl automatically closing when the velocity of flow of natural well fluid through the mandrel exceeds a predetermined point to change such natural well flowing conditions, the sudden increase in flow velocity causing an impact against the lower side of the `valve which immediately moves said valve to its closed position, and means for reopening said valve with the device mounted within the well tubing.

8. A well flowing control device including, a mandrel having a ilow passage therethrough, means for sealing ol between the device and a well casing, means for anchoring the device in a well casing, the passage of the mandrel having a valve seat, the mandrel having an inlet below the valve seat, a valve support having an inlet for the well fluid below thev inlet to the passage, a valve resting on said support below said valve seat when open and free to move to close the discharge end of the inlet to said support, the upper side of said valve being exposed to the well fluid flowing through the inlet to the passage, whereby said valve remains open during a normal flow of the well fluid, said valve being free to close upon an increased flow velocity, and means freely well casing, for anchoringv the' device in"A :a kwell easing, the passage-oi themandrelhaving a valve seat, the mandrel havinaanfinlet below the valve seat, la-valvesupport illicit",v

jvelocitydiderentials in' pressure acting on the-fY a valve resting on said support Abelow said valveA fvalve is controlled by the ratio OfSaid uid open? for the well fluid below the inlet to the passage,

seat when open anderree to move to close thel dis-A charge end of the inletto said support, the upperside of said valve being exposed to the well duid dowing'through the inlet to thepassage,

whereby said valve remainsopen duringl a normal dow of the well duid, said valve being free to close upon an increased dow velocity, a spring pressed valve mounted in the drst namedvalve, and

means freely movable down through the well tubi- Ving to engage both valves 'for unseating the same. v

10.- A -well dowing controldevice arranged to be located .within the bore of a dowing well including, a support having means for sealing-it in a, well tubing and a dow e therethrough, means normally open while the well is producing and connected with the support and actuated by resumedm.

l1. A vwell dowing control device arranged to;

the flowing natural well duids for shutting od the dow through said e when a predeter-4 mined abnormal dow of the natural'well, duid occurs in-sald passage, and a valve within said shutod means adapted to beloperated `from the surface or the well to edect the. opening o! said shutod means so that the natural well dow may bebe located within the bore ot a dowing well in# cluding, a support having means for sealingl it -l in a well tubing and a dow passage therethrough,

means normally open while the well isl producing and connected with the support and actuated by the dowing natural well duids for shutting od! 1 the dow through said passage when a predeter mined abnormal dow of l the 'natural well duid ocl,

curs in said passage.. and means for causing said;

lshut-oil means to open to resume said dow.

A12. s wen device arranged to be located with-i in the bor'efof a well including, a support having a y dow passage'therethrough. a valve cage at the,

lower end of said support, a valve menber within said cage normally in a positionto maintain the dow passage open whilethe well is'producing for controlling the vdow of natural well duid therethrough, said valve cage having an opening therethrough for directing duid past the valve.v

member as it dows through said dow passage with the valve remaining open-to permit said dow through the support under normal well dowing conditionsand said valve cage having an open'- ing communicating with the under side of said. valve member whereby the valve will be moved to its closed position' to vcut od said dow ofthe natural well duid when the velocity.v oi dow through the support exceeds a predetermined ve locity to change such dow conditions.

13. A well device arranged to be located with? n in the bore of a well including, a support having a dow passage therethrough, a valve cage at the lower end of said support, a valve member within said cage normally in a position to maintain the' in said cage normally ina position to maintain the dow passage open while the well is producing.

lmlember'aslt dows through said dow passage with to its closed -position to cut od said dow of the accessible through the dow ,e wayin the -to openV position. A 65 v16. -A well device arranged to be located withinthereafter' for controlling the duid dow valve' t through the 'support under normal well flowing open to-'perma'sam now conditions, andfsaid/valve cage having an opening communicating"with-the underside of said valve"'membe'rwhereby the valve will be moved to its'closedposition vto cut od said dow ofthe natural-'well duid when the"veloc ity of flow through'the support exceeds a predetermined velocity to' changefsuch dow conditions. wherein the ings in the' valve cage with respect to 'each other. 14. A well device arranged to be located within the Vbore of a well including, a support having a dow'passage therethrough, a valve cage at-the 5 lower end of said support,`a valve member within said cage normally in a position to maintain the dow passage open while the well is producing for controlling'the dow of natural well duid therethrough, said valve cage having an opening therethrough for directing the duid past the valve member as it dows through -saiddiow 'pas- ,sage with. the valve remaining open to permit said dow through the support under normal well dowing conditions, and said valve cage having an opening'communicating with the under side of'said valvemember whereby the valve will be moved `to its closed position to cut od said dow locity to change such dow conditions, wherein the velocity diderentials in pressure actingv onthe valve for closing the dow passage is determined by varying the restrictions of the cage opening to the now or wen fluid-through the devioe.-

' i5. A well device arranged to-be located within the bore of a well including, a' support having a dow passage therethrough, a valve` cage at the lower end of said support', a valve member with'- tor controlling the dow ot natural well duid there-v of the natural well duid when the velocity of dow through the support exceeds a predetermined ve-l through', .said valve cage having an opening I therethrough for directing the duid past the valve the valve remaining open to permit said dow through the support under normal well dowing conditions', and said valvecage having an opening communicating with the under side of said valve member whereby the valve will be moved natural well duid when the velocity of dow through the support exceeds a predetermined velocity to change auch dow conditions, said valve member having a duid passage-'therethrough with a restricted. opening in line. with the dow pas-A valve member yieldingly held in position to close said restricted opening inthe valvememberand support to be opened by 'an operating rod when the valve member closesrthe iiow passage so as Vto re-establish the eway through the device and edect a movement of the-valve member through the support exceeds` a predetermined veels 'sage through the support, and a valve within said for closing the e when the velocity of iilowy 70 locity as in the case of a blow-out, and means through a smaller oridce.

, 1r. s now oontronmga'evioenovmg, moans for 7,'

including, a support having means for sealing it in a well tubing and provided with -a iiow passage therethrough, said support having a valve seat contiguous to its flow passage and provided with a passage below said seat for admitting natural well iluid from source, 'and a valve carried by the support below said seat and' movable up to said seat to shut off ow through the ow passage of the support, said valve being disposed in and cog-acting with said support so as to resist upward displacement by the well tluid flowing v2,196,685 removably anchoring it in a well ilow tubing and f king exceeds the said normal ilowing velocity.

18. A well flow control device as set forth in claim 17 wherein the valve has a 'ilow passage normally closed, Iand means controllable from the top of the well for opening said valve passage.

r "mamar c.o'rrs. 

